Finalists in restaurant awards

Last year’s winners Jim Constantinidis (left) and Michael Cross of Mexicoast Cantina Toukley are on the finalist list again this year

The Restaurant & Catering Hostplus Awards for Excellence have come around again with the Central Coast represented in five categories of the regional sector.

Two restaurants are up for back-to-back wins after taking out their categories in 2023.

Winner of the family dining category last year, Mexicoast Cantina Toukley is again on the finalist list with four other contenders.

Spices 29 Goan Indian Restaurant in Woy Woy is one of six finalists in the Indian restaurant category which Spices 29 won in 2023.

Terrigal restaurant The Cowrie is a finalist in two categories – one of five in the contemporary Australian restaurant (formal) and one of three finalists in the premium dining category.

Lago Cucina – Budgewoi Hotel is one of four finalists in the restaurant in a pub/club category.

The awards give metropolitan and regional restaurants, cafes and caterers across the country well deserved recognition for their hard work, exceptional food and outstanding service.